A special day-long (07th August 2021) off campus training on “ICAR-IIHR Horticultural Technologies Suitable for Vellore district and Horticultural farmers problems and solutions” was organized by ICAR – Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru in collaboration with ICAR-TNAU-KVK-Viringipuram and Ever Green Farmers Producers Organization, Vellore District of Tamil Nadu. This program was inaugurated by Dr. Narashima Reddy, Deputy Director (Marketing), Vellore district, Tamil Nadu. He showed keen interest in demonstration of ICAR-IIHR Horticultural Technologies at farmers field of Vellore district. Dr. Nanda Kumar Head, KVK and Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Virinjipuram, Vellore district, Tamil Nadu proposed a formal welcome address and requirement towards IIHR technologies for Vellore district. Dr. R. Venkattakumar, Principal Scientist and In-charge Head, Division of Social Science and Training, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru explained about role of FPOs in promoting production technologies and also gave tips for effective functioning of FPOs. Dr. R. Senthil Kumar, Principal Scientist, Division of Social Sciences and Training delivered a lecture on "Fruit crop technologies of ICAR-IIHR". Further he explained about canopy management in fruit crops for getting more fruit yield per tree. This lecture was followed by presentation on "Varieties and hybrids of vegetable crops and latest technologies of ICAR-IIHR", which was delivered by Dr. V. Sankar, Principal Scientist, Division of Social Sciences and Training ICAR-IIHR. Mr. Gopala Rajendran, Chairman, Ever Green Farmers Producers Organization expressed his satisfaction about IIHR horticultural technologies and requested to all farmers participants and members of FPO to have continuous touch with ICAR-IIHR for further technical guidance. Mr Vikram, CEO of Ever Green Farmers Producers Organization proposed a formal vote of thanks.
This program ended with demonstration on canopy management in fruit crops (mango, guava and sapota) demonstrated by Dr. R. Senthil Kumar. Moreover, ICAR-IIHR's Arka Shubra - Mucuna seeds were distributed to all the farmers and Member of FAO who attended the programme for improving the soil fertility of their orchards. This training was attended by more than 50 progressive farmers, subject matter specialists of KVK, officials of line departments and members of FPO. The off-campus training programme was coordinated by Dr. R. Venkattakumar, Dr. R. Senthil Kumar and Dr. V. Sankar Principal Scientist, Division of Social Sciences and Training, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru
